NEW ZEALAND'S BISLEY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12165, 5 March 1909, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S BISLEY.

COMMENCEMENT OF TRENTHAM

MEETING

, ; (Per Press Association). TRENTHAM, March 4. .Wednesday night in camp tvas exceedlrgly cold, but the morning broke beautifully fine for the eighth annual meeting at Trentham. Shooting commenced at 9.i3O. The competitors were mustered, at the smiading posts and briefly addressed by Colonel Collins, who intilrated. that the Defence Council had decided to allow the use of orthoptics in'all matches, and adhere to the Bisley .ruler regarding ricochets, none- to count unless the bullet struck the bank dosa to the target. He was confident that the entries would have been much larger'but for the slight financial depression Many old vctsran riflemen are in attendaiK c and another pleasant feature is the number of young marksmen who come to fill the vacant places. Tho gathering is thoroughly representative, competitors coming forward from almost evcrv district between Auckland and the Bluff. The light throughout t'ho. greater part of the diy was good, but became very thick late in the afternoon, while the 800 yards match was proceeding, owing to bush fires in the vicinity. The wind was deadly catchy, and set many experienced marksmen a problem to solve, especially in the two range scores, ranging down to 10 and

a great many below 30. The ammunition was specially packed for- the meeting by the manufacturers, and is giving great satisfaction. The" arrangements arc most complete, and the catering all that could be desired. Shooting at three ranges in the Volunteer and Rifle Club matches (which were fired simultaneously at the 200, 600, and 800 yards ranges) was brilliant, and at the last range a touch of sensation was given by Speck (Stratford) putting un the possible, following upon the possible at 200 yards and threo short of the possible at tha 600 yards range. At the 2UU yards staple shooting began in calm weather, and at all butti scores were being pilcxl on with pleasant rapidity; but soon a smart right rear breeze told against the firing, which fell back a, point, and•■ihiriy.-3's took tho place of "all-buts." Only three possible", were secured at the range th» marksmen bdng ..Burns, of Karon. Hi^-

gins, of Timaru, and Spctck* of Stratford ; 84's were made by the following competitors; Shaw (Ohincmuri). Dun-

can. (M llerton), Sutherland (Gcraldine), Wayte (Mataura), R. J. King (Opaki), Fletcher fDunedin), Halliday (Karori, Nelson), Baker (Wellington), Bays (Newton), Fisher (Stoke), Gwindell (.Napier), Melntosh (Waitalu), Tinney (Welling! on), Atkinson-Kemnton (A tick- . land); Wili mis (Ohura), Purnell (Wang&nui), Kell (Palm-erston North), Moriey (Otaki). At the 600 yards rango the shooting continued- consistently good, and four possibles were put up, the marksmen . being Mitchener, Milroy, and •Shafland (Nelson), and Edgcumbe (Waikato). Kitchen (Upper Hutt) scored 34, and 33's were numerous. ■■»■-■■ ■ At the 800 yar<ls stage, in addition to Speck, possibles were registered by the following: Plummer (Wellington), Macey (Karori), Marenzi (Eketuhuna), White (Frank3and)_ Hyde (Hawke's Bay). Species performance won for him not only the match, but the Garbine Cup. It is somewhat remarkable that his final shot at the final range was recorded, and therefore counted as a, miss. This he challenged, and inspection showed he had scored a bull's-eye, and this made the record for the Doipinion for these ranges. , Prize list:— : Extnv uiateh No. 1; (seven shots at r 500 yards.'^^e^QU*3wirtg fak<r£l; witU'; 35 each-^Riflem^n/J; A: Franklin (We.; ber)r J. McKenzie (Opaki), Craw I (Chorlton) r Pte. R. Lucas (PalmerSton North), Trooper Atkinson (Auckland), Pfe.T. Jones (Dunedin). ■ :Ejftra No. 2, seiveri" shots at GOO * yards.—2ss, M. DmmTitfmd (Denniston) 34- 20s, R Lucas '(Palmerston North), : 34: 17s 6d, A. Patrick (Victoria Rifles), 34: the remainder take 10s and 9s. r Volunteer match,—£s,. Sergt. Hyde (Hawke's Bay), 98; £4, Corpl. Munro (Murihaka), 98;, £3, Sergt. Tinney . (Wellington), 98,; £2, Lietkt. Skelly (D Battery), 97; £2, Pt?. S. Sorenson . (Auckland), 97; £2, Pte. R. Paten (Danne/irke), 96; £2, Sergt W. Mairi- . say (Piako), 96. . Rifle" GLib match, 200, 600, and 800 yards. —Speck (Stratford) £5, 102 ; 'Dick (Riversdale) £4, 97; Whiteman Hutt) £5, 97; "Willoughby (Gladstone) £3. 96; Bulford (Karori) , Loveday (Ohura), G. Loveday (Ohura), 1 96; W. J. Henry (Opaki) 95, £2 each ;•■ 1 27 take £1 'each.